AN: Hi guys, sorry this took so long to rewrite, but here is Chapter 12, finally. The submitter of the character used in this chapter was an anonymous reviewer who went by piiiiiiiieeeeee.

Also, I have started up a collection of one-shots called "The Left Behind." It is set during different points in the Heroes of Olympus series and focuses on characters other than the seven of prophecy. Check it out.

This chapter is narrated by Thalia just like the last one. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 12: Erow

We finally arrived at Half-Blood Hill at around three in the morning. Nico yawned, then turned to me and asked, "Should we wake them up here, or take them to the Big House?"

"We'll have to wake Jessica," I said, "but I'd just as soon leave Percy for Chiron. I don't know exactly what happened, but if he got hit close enough to his weak point when he was blasted backwards, then we're going to want to leave him for Chiron."

Nico nodded, then glanced into the back of the car. "Uh, I'll just go wake Chiron then, shall I?"

I gave him a questioning glance. "Why are you in such a rush to get out of here?"

Nico glanced around nervously. "I, uh… That girl makes me nervous. I don't want to be one of the ones that has to explain to her about Half-Bloods and stuff."

"She's just a daughter of Aphrodite," I said.

"That's why she makes me nervous." And with that Nico got out of the car, and started towards the Big House. His behaviour confused me. He hadn't acted scared or nervous earlier, but now with the prospect of waking up Jessica, he was bolting for the hills. Literally.

I sighed and sat still for a moment. It had been a long night, and I was tired. Really, really tired. I turned and glanced in the back. Percy was not sleeping peacefully. He was shaking, and every once in a while, wisps of strange golden smoke would come out of his mouth. That concerned me. I was sure that something was wrong, besides the alcohol, but I didn't know what. What was he dreaming about that caused his strange sleep and breath?

Then I turned and reached towards Jessica, shaking her awake. She jerked alert. "Ah! What… Am I dead? The last thing I remember…"

"You aren't dead," I said, impatiently. "Get out of the car."

"Why? Where am I? Did you kidnap me? What's going on?"

I sighed. "Look, I'm tired. Percy and I spent all night trying to protect you, we're not going to do you any harm. Just, please, get out of the car. Everything will be explained."

Jessica hesitated, but I gave her my best death glare and she got out of the car. Then I got out, and went over to Percy's side of the back. With effort, I managed to hoist him up and over my shoulder. Half dragging him up Half-Blood Hill, I turned to Jessica and said, "Well come on. The night's getting shorter, and I actually want some sleep tonight."

Grumbling, she followed as we walked up the hill towards the border. The dragon stood guard around the tree that used to be me, and a glittering fleece hung from the lower branches. She yelped when she realized the thing at the base of the tree was a live dragon. I sighed and turned to Jessica. "He won't hurt you. You're a Half-Blood."

"A what?"

"A Half-Blood, Jessica. Chiron will explain when we get to the Big House."

Percy twitched so violently in his sleep that I dropped him. He started spasming on the ground. "Di immortalis!" I cursed. Jessica backed away in horror.

"I don't know what's going on," she said, "but you guys are crazy. I'm getting out of here!"

She started running back down the hill to where I'd left the car in the grass. I looked down at Percy, sighed, then dashed after her. She didn't really stand a chance. I was a Hunter. I was immortal and was a better runner than any mortal, even some nymphs. I quickly over took her and stopped her by grabbing one of her arms very tightly. "Jessica! Stop this! Listen to me. This place is the only place you'll be safe. You have to co-operate!"

"Safe from what? You're crazy! Let go of me!"

"Safe from monsters, Jessica. Safe from monsters."

"Monsters aren't real!"

"Do you really believe that?" I asked. "I know what you've been through because we all go through it. No one ever believed you about the monsters did they? So you convinced yourself that they didn't exist. You actually believe the stupid lies you told yourself. But that doesn't matter anymore. The monsters are real, and they're after you. This is the only place where you will be truly safe from them."

She was silent for a moment, like she was trying to break apart the lies she'd told herself. She sighed. "I don't know what to believe anymore. I'm remembering things I haven't thought about in years…"

I let go of her arm and held out my hand. "Look," I said, "I know trusting me is… perhaps a difficult thing to do. But trust me. This will be good for you. Please, come with me. Come to Camp."

She hesitated a moment, then shook my hand. I smiled encouragingly, then walked back over to Percy. His spasming had stopped, but he was shivering uncontrollably and muttering in his sleep. I picked him up and threw him back over my shoulder, struggling to carry him up the hill. Jessica walked silently next to me. We passed over the crest of the hill, and I gazed down at Camp Half-Blood. Honestly, all the coming back and forth I'd been doing, had made me miss Camp a lot. Not enough to quit the Hunters, but a lot. I struggled down the hill and towards the Big House. Chiron sat on the porch in his wheelchair, his hair dishevelled. Nico leaned against the railing next to him. Jessica made it to the porch just before me.

"You must be Jessica," Chiron said as I stumbled onto the porch. "Nico was just explaining the situation to me. Please, show Jessica to her room, Mr. di Angelo."

"Uh, well I'd rather, uh," Nico's eyes darted around. He sighed. "Alright, fine. Come with me?" He asked Jessica. She gave him a weird look, then followed him into the house.

Chiron turned to me. "I thought it best for Jessica to stay in the Big House tonight. No need to wake up the Aphrodite cabin at this hour of the night. Or morning, rather. Take a seat, Thalia. Perhaps you can set Percy on the floor gently for the time being."

I did as Chiron said, and set Percy down carefully as another breathe of golden smoke came out from between his lips. "What does that mean?" I asked Chiron as I sat across the table from him.

He sighed. "I do not know. I assume it has to do with whatever he is dreaming about, but still… troubling. Now, Thalia, please tell me everything."

I sighed and was about to start telling my story, when a blast of hot air hit me from behind. I turned and saw a young girl with auburn hair and a grim expression. It was Artemis. "My lady! What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised and confused.

"I am afraid I am here because charges have been brought against you," she said.

"For what?" I asked.

"Breaking your vow," Artemis said.

I felt my mouth drop open. "Break my vow? Why would I ever do that? I am your loyal lieutenant. When did I-" Then I remember. The party, Ethan, him kissing me… I was going to kill that boy. "No, you've got it all wrong. I didn't… you can't kick me out of the Hunters! Please, my lady, don't."

Chiron wheeled forward. "I believe Thalia is telling the truth, your highness," he said. "I do not think she would break the vow."

Artemis's expression became all the more grim. "I do not think so either, but the fact is that she has kissed a man. This must be dealt with. Thalia, you will be given the chance to defend yourself in the trial, then Erow, who is acting as the prosecution, will present her evidence, and then I shall decide."

Erow. She was always undermining my authority and trying to take control of the Hunters from me. It didn't surprise me that she would be the one leading the prosecution against me. I sighed. "Very well, my lady. When is the trial?"

"Tomorrow," she said. "Erow wanted to hold it tonight, but I told her that I would not have you presenting your defence as tired as you are." She put her hand on my shoulder. "I am sorry, Thalia. You have been an excellent lieutenant. I hope that you are telling the truth."

I looked down, trying to get my anger and sadness under control. "It's fine. I'll see you tomorrow. Where and when?"

"Just outside of Camp," Artemis said. "Tomorrow at noon."

I nodded, still staring at the ground. I felt a rush of wind, and Artemis was gone. I turned to Chiron. "I'll have to tell you what happened another time. If I'm going to be defending myself at a trial, I need to get some rest."

He nodded. "I understand. Good luck, my dear."

I turned and walked towards the cabins. I realized it was perhaps not the best idea to sleep in the Artemis cabin tonight, so I went down to the Zeus cabin. I stared up at the massive statue of my father, glowering down at me like he was saying Eat Lightning! The sound of thunder rumbled through the cabin. I hated this place. I crawled into the alcove where I had slept when I was staying at Camp and went to sleep.

The next morning I woke early and went to the dining pavilion, just sitting at the Zeus table, waiting for breakfast to begin. Campers arrived slowly but surely, gathering around their tables for breakfast. "Hey," a voice said. I looked up. It was Nico. "Chiron told me about Artemis. I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?"

I shook my head. "No. This is something I have to do myself."

He nodded. "Well, anyway, I'm sorry. Good luck today, though. I'm sure you'll be fine. Who is this Erow that Chiron mentioned?"

"She's one of the Hunters," I said. "She doesn't really like me, thinks I'm too light on the boy rules. She's been trying to get me removed as lieutenant for ages. Today she might finally succeed."

"She won't," Nico assured me. "You'll do great, I promise."

"Thanks," I said. "Any word on Percy?"

Nico shook his head. "He's still out cold. I told Chiron about that fight with Helen. He thinks that when Helen screamed and he got blasted back, he sustained a near hit to his weak point. He might be out for a while."

"He won't… die, will he?" I asked, worried.

Nico shook his head. "No, he's fine. He just needs rest." He stood there awkwardly for a minute before saying, "Well, I better get going. There are some matters in California I have to go attend to."

"What's going on in California?" I asked, confused.

He cleared his throat. "N-nothing much. Just some things that I need to do for my father and stuff… Anyway, bye. Remember, if you and Percy need me, just use the stone."

Then he stepped into the shadow of one of the columns and disappeared. I wondered what was going on in California, and why he acted to shifty and nervous when I asked about it. I shrugged. If it was important, we'd find out soon enough.

At eleven thirty I left Camp and proceeded down the hill to where I could see the Hunters gathered. Tents were set up. The wolves were roaming around. I patted a few on the head as I walked through the site. I waved hi to a couple of the Hunters to. I made my way to Artemis's tent. Inside, I found Artemis, several other Hunters, and Erow. She had silvery hair, and wore normal Hunter clothes. She had two mechanical hunting dogs by her side. They were her inventions. She was a daughter of Athena originally, and was extremely intelligent and good at building things.

"Ah, good," Erow said. "Our fearless lieutenant is, for once, not late. I suggest we go ahead and start now. After all, we all have better things to be doing I'm sure. We have a hunt to get back to, and Thalia has men to swoon over."

I threw Erow a dirty look. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

"Erow, that was out of order," Artemis said. "Thalia, control your temper."

I took a deep breathe, and the thunder stopped.

"Lady Artemis," Erow began, "as a Hunter, one must swear to forsake men forever. Obviously, we all have different ideas about what exactly this means, as our lieutenant has demonstrated. She has no problem maintaining friendships with men. Now, I feel that this is breaching the terms of the vow, but I have not issued any complaints about it." That's bull, I thought. You remind me all the time what you think. "I have not complained about it because she still did not blatantly disobey her vows. That was, until, late last night. She was at a party, you see, and she kissed a boy named Ethan. This is blatantly disobeying her vows. She does not deserve to be our lieutenant. She does not deserve to be a Hunter."

Artemis turned to me. "What have you to say in your defence, Thalia?"

I cleared my throat. "My lady, let me remind everyone present that I have served faithfully under you since I joined the Hunters. I obtained a leave of absence from you in order to help out one of the Lords of the Wild, Grover Underwood. As part of my service to this Lord of the Wild, I, last night, attended a party in order to find a demigod and save her. During the process of the evening, I became sick, and went into a restroom to throw up. As I was leaving, this boy, Ethan, cornered me and forcibly kissed me. I broke away immediately, and caused him an extreme amount of pain and discomfort. He regretted kissing me. I did not kiss him. He forcibly kissed me, and he did not escape unpunished."

Artemis nodded. "I have heard both of your testimonies and will now deliberate on it. Leave me for now."

Everyone left the tent and started mulling around outside. Erow came up to me. "I don't care how it happened, you still broke your vows."

"Erow, you are so… aggravating. Why do you hate me so much?"

Erow laughed. "Don't be ridiculous. I do not hate you. I just think that you should step down and let someone more qualified lead the Hunters."

I sneered at her. That's when we heard the roar. Everyone froze and looked in the direction that the roar had come from. Out of the woods emerged a massive dragon made of bronze. It unleashed a torrent of fire onto the tents, blasting several of them to pieces and starting a fire. Everyone jumped up and started running around, either trying to put out the fires or fight off the dragon. Erow and I both summoned our Hunter bows and ran towards the dragon.

It blasted off more fire and we both rolled away from it. Erow ran at the dragon, shooting arrows into its maw. It swung at her with one of its massive bronze feet, and she went flying for several yards before smacking into a tree. She was dazed, and trying to get up, but the dragon loomed over her, fire coming out of its nostrils. I sprinted as fast as I could towards her, getting between her and the dragon. With a scream, I raised my bow up in the air. Thunder rumbled, and a blast of lightning came down from the sky. It struck my bow and arced along its length, blasting into the dragon. The dragon whimpered as electricity arced across its metal frame. One of its eyes exploded. It ran off back into the woods.

I fell to the ground, exhausted. My bow was ruined. It crumpled in my hands. I sighed.

"Thank you," I heard from behind me. I turned. It was Erow. "I would be dead if not for you. I… am sorry."

I stood back up. "It's okay. We should go see if Lady Artemis has reached her decision."

We walked through the blasted camp site as Hunters attended to the wounded. Eventually we made it to Artemis's tent, which was still in perfect condition. Artemis stood outside it in adult form.

"My lady," Erow said. "I would like to contract my suit against Thalia. She saved my life. I cannot ask her to give up her own."

"That is all well and good, Erow, but I have reached my decision," Artemis said.

"And what did you decide?" I asked, kneeling.

"My decision is-"

AN: Aaaaaaaaaand cliffhanger. Sorry guys, but you'll have to wait to find out whether Thalia stays in the Hunters. Also, just to remind you all, Percy's dreams with Kronos indicate that this is a separate reality, so, you know, don't get upset about things that happen that don't fit with the canon. That's it for now. See you next time.